About 9.7-million children in SA are living with their grandparents, with many of these households relying on social grants for survival. Early childhood development of such children is in peril, data from Stats SA shows.
The data relates to 2023, with KwaZulu-Natal having the highest proportion of such children, followed by Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.
Nearly half of grandparent-headed households with children in SA had more than six members, according to Stats SA — highlighting the financial pressures facing such families.
“Many grandparents, especially those raising grandchildren, face financial challenges. This can be due to limited income from pensions or social security, increased living expenses, and the costs associated with raising children. Elderly people often experience higher rates of health issues and disabilities,” Stats SA said.
“The primary source of income for these households varied across different population groups. For black African grandparents’ households, grants were the main source of income (55.8%). In contrast, salaries were the predominant income source for white, Indian/Asian, and coloured households (72.6%, 65.7% and 57.5%, respectively).”
The data shows 40.6% of grandparent households with grandchildren aged 0-17 years had no employed members, while among those with employed members, nearly 35.0% had only one employed member, 16.4% had two and 8.4% had three or more.
The Eastern Cape had the highest percentage of grandparent-headed households without any employed members and also the lowest percentage of households with a single employed member.
Many grandparents, especially those raising grandchildren, face financial challenges. This can be due to limited income from pensions or social security, increased living expenses, and the costs associated with raising children.
“A workless household is one where no adults aged 16 or older are employed. This can include people who are unemployed and looking for work, as well as those who are not working due to family responsibilities, retirement, education, disability or illness. Such households often face financial instability and a higher risk of poverty,” Stats SA said.
The data also shows a staggering 85% of children aged 0-4 years living in grandparent-headed households did not attend early childhood development (ECD) programmes because their grandparents preferred them to stay at home or with someone else — a troubling figure for government’s efforts to leave no child behind.
Stats SA also found that 12% of the children did not attend the programmes due to the cost of ECD programmes and 2.9% did not attend because there were no ECD facilities available in their areas.
As of 2024, the new legislation has made Grade R compulsory for all children aged five years. Previously, Grade R attendance was optional, but the new legislation aims to ensure that all children receive early childhood education, which is crucial for their development.
“This upward trend in the number of children living with grandparents reflects ongoing societal shifts and challenges faced by families across SA. Economic pressures, health crises and social factors contribute to the complex landscape of family dynamics in the country,” the agency said.
“Grandparents continue to play pivotal roles in providing care and support to their grandchildren, often stepping in to fill gaps left by absent or unable parents. Their presence in the lives of these children is essential for ensuring stability, nurturing and guidance, contributing significantly to their overall wellbeing and development,” it said.
“Similarly, the prevalence of children living with siblings, other relatives, or nonrelated individuals underscores the diverse ways in which families in SA adapt and support one another in times of need. The number of children residing in households headed by their grandparents is increasing in SA, reflecting a notable shift in family dynamics over the past two decades.”
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